The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in Science. The lowest is 13% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays El Sch
Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays Elementary is a neighborhood school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in central Allentown. With an enrollment distributed fairly evenly across its six grades, it functions as a mid-sized elementary anchoring a residential area on West Gordon Street, one block from Tilghman Street.
The school's student body is predominantly Hispanic, with substantial representation of students from multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds. Critically, all students enrolled qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating the school serves a low-income population. Specific data on English learner enrollment and special education enrollment were not available; a parent may want to contact the school directly to understand the scope of English language and special education services.
State testing results show persistent challenges in core academics. In the most recent assessment cycle, proficiency in English language arts fell below one in five students, while math proficiency was similarly low, with fewer than one in five students meeting state standards. Science proficiency, measured in the prior year, was roughly even, with about half the students meeting standards. Compared to other public elementary schools in Lehigh County, Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays ranks in the bottom quartile overall on proficiency. These outcomes reflect the high-poverty concentration of the school's population and signal that families choosing this school should anticipate academic support as a primary need and look closely at what interventions and literacy programs the school has in place.
The Allentown City School District, of which this school is part, has recently undergone significant change. In June 2024, the district adopted its first comprehensive long-range strategic plan in years, "Lighting the Way: A Blueprint for Innovation and Excellence 2030," setting explicit targets in third-grade literacy, Algebra I readiness, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism. The district opened three new theme-based schools in fall 2024, including a dual-language immersion academy and a science-focused elementary. These developments signal an intentional pivot toward choice and curriculum specialization, though they sit alongside ongoing performance gaps at schools like this one.
The district has benefited from substantial increases in state funding following Pennsylvania's school funding reform. This influx allowed the district to hold property taxes flat for three consecutive years through 2025-26; however, a property tax increase is now proposed for 2026-27 for capital projects and operational needs, ending the recent freeze. A new local tax rebate program for eligible seniors and people with disabilities is also in development.
Allentown itself is undergoing downtown revitalization driven by the Neighborhood Improvement Zone and major anchors like the PPL Center arena and the new Da Vinci Science Center. Housing costs in the 18102 zip code where the school sits are below state and national medians, with monthly rent and home values reflecting an affordable urban market. Allentown's economy is anchored by Lehigh Valley Health Network, healthcare and manufacturing sectors, and emerging arts and entertainment venues. The city's park system, including Lehigh Parkway, is a draw for families, and LANta public transit provides bus service throughout the area.
For a family considering this school, the key questions are academic: what specific literacy and math interventions operate at this building, how does the school connect with the district's newer theme-based schools and strategic priorities, and what support services exist for the largely low-income, multilingual population served. The school's position in the bottom quartile on proficiency reflects real academic headwinds, but state funding gains and district-level strategic planning suggest capacity for change. The neighborhood setting and affordability are assets; academic trajectory and available support are the determining factors.
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